OPTIMIZATION OF THE CONTACT SURFACE SHAPE OF A SHRINKAGE FIT

Amongst many processes existing today for the assembly of two cylindri cal parts, the shrinkage fit is commonly used. However, in the calcula tion methods, the contact surfaces are assumed to be perfect. Therefor e, in order to apply these, the standards necessitate very small geome trical tolerances. The objective of the present paper is to show that it is possible to take into account form defects by closely conformed contact modelling and to have a good representation of reality: form d efects always exist to an increasing extent and are inherent in all ki nds of manufacturing processes. Finally, it is shown that the presence of defects can be beneficial, allowing optimization from both a mecha nical and an economical point of view. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.